Toy vehicle



Feb. 21,1939.

o. o. SHARP 2,147,860

TOY VEH ICLE Filed Dec. 21, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 O. O. SHARP Feb. 21, 1939.

TOY VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec 2l, 1957 Patented Feb. 21, 1939 PATENT oFFlcE 'roY VEHICLE Owen 0. Sharp,

Burlingame, Calif.

Application December 21, 1937, Serial No. 181,021

Claims.

This invention relates to a toy vehicle and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which is occupant propelled and wherein the device as a unit is in 5 simulation of an animal, such as a horse.

The invention also has for an object to provide a vehicle of this kind whereby the body portion when the vehicle is in transit, has an up and down oscillating or rocking movement to give imitation of riding movements of the animal simulated. f

Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle of this kind wherein desired propulsion is accomplished as a result of the weight of the occupant plus pressure imposed upon suitably supported stirrups.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved toy vehicle whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. I

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter vbe definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation with portions broken away of a toy vehicle constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1'With cer tain of the parts in elevation;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 with parts in elevation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 with portions in elevation.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, B denotes asuitably constructed body herein disclosed as in simulation of a horse and which is provided in its forward'portion with the transversely spaced depending members I in imitation of the iront legs of the animal and with the transversely disposed depending leg members 2 at the rear portion of the body. The body is also hollow and the major portion oi the operating mechanism for the toy is arranged and concealed within said hollow body B.

Extending transversely within and across the CII body B above the front legs I is a rigid and relatively broad member 3 provided at its extremities with the upturned flanges 4 which are pivotally connected to the adjacent side walls of the body B by the rivets 5 or other suitable members. By this means it is to be noted that the member 3 is supported for rocking movement in order to facilitate the desired operation of the vehicle.

' The central portion of this member 3 is provided With an opening 6 of desired diameter and through which is freely directed an elongated sleeve l. This sleeve- 'l snugly engages around a vertically disposed steering post 8 of desired length and which has its upper end portion dis posed at all times above the top of the body B immediately adjacent to the head H. The top portion of the wall of the body B is provided with a depending bearing 9 through which the post or column 8 is directed.

The lower portion of the post or column 3 carries a surrounding collar or flange I0 with which contacts the lower end of the sleeve 'l hereinbefore referred to. The lower end of the post or column 8, as herein disclosed, is provided with an extended lug II which extends between the upstanding spaced lugs I2 carried by the intermediate member I4 of an inverted U-shape yoke A. The lugs II and I2 are pivotally connected in a conventional manner by a pivot member I5. The extremities of the side members IE of the yoke member A are operatively con nected, as at I'I, with the cranks I8 carried by the shaft I9. The shaft I9 bridges the space between and is rotatably supported by the side members 20 of a second yoke C also in the form of an inverted U but of a size materially greater than the size of the yoke A hereinbefore referred to. The sleeve 'l extends through the central portion of the intermediate member 2l.

The shaft I9 between the cranks I8 and midway of the side members I6 of the yoke A has xed thereto for rotation therewith the ground engaging wheel 22 of desired diameter.

Underlying the central portion of the member 3 and suitably secured thereto, as at 23, is theV forward end portion of a relatively broad and substantially rigid connecting member 24, the rear end portion of which overlying and being suitably secured, as at 25, to the intermediate member 26 of a rear yoke member D arranged between the rear legs 2 of the body B. The yoke D is also substantially in the form of an inverted U and the lower free end portions of the side arms 2l thereof are operatively connected, as at 28, by the transversely disposed axle 29 bridging the space between the rear legs 2 and having their extremities freely engaged within the vertically disposed holding and guiding slots 30 provided in the lower end portions of the rear legs 2.

Fixed to the shaft or axle 29 for rotation therewith are the ground engaging wheels 3|, each of which is positioned between a rear leg 2 and a side arm 21 of the yoke D. The central portion of the shaft 29, or that portion between the side members 21 of the yoke D, is formed to provide a crank 32 with which is operatively engaged, as at 33, an end portion of a pitman 34. This pitman 34 extends upwardly and is pivotally connected, as at 35, with the lower end portion of a rigid elongated arm 36. This arm 36 is freely disposed through the intermediate member 26 and the overlying portion of the connecting member 24. The upper end portion of this arm 36 is freely engaged around a pivot bar 31 extending transversely across the rear portion of the body B and operatively engaged with the side Walls thereof. Also pivotally or freely engaged with the pivot bar 31 are the free extremities of the fork arms 38 carried by the rear end portion of an elongated rigid bar 39. As particularly illustrated in Figure 3, the fork, arms 38 are engaged with the pivot bar 31 at opposite sides of the arm 36.

The forward end portion of the bar 39 is also forked and rotatably carried by each of the fork arms 40 is a roller 4|. This roller 4I, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is arranged inwardly of its coacting arm 4B and has contact from above with an outstanding surrounding flange 42 carried by the upper extremity of the sleeve 1.

Mounted upon the body B is a seat S, herein disclosed, as in imitation of a saddle and the bar 39 at a point below said'seat is pivotally connected, as at 43, with a transversely disposed bar 44. The opposite end portions of this bar 44 are continued by the downwardly disposed extension 45 which in turn are continued by the outwardly directed extension arms 46 substantially in parallelism with the bar 44. These arms 46 extend outwardly beyond the side walls of the body B through the vertically disposed slots 41 which permit the bar 44 to have up and down movement when the vehicle is in use. Secured to and depending from the outer extremities of the arms 46 are stirrups 48 which are adapted to be engaged in a conventional manner by the feet of the occupant of the seat or saddle S.

Interposed between the intermediate member 2| of the yoke C and the portion of the member 24 thereabove are the anti-friction members 49 herein disclosed as conventional ball bearings. These anti-friction members facilitate the desired steering of the vehicle through the instrumentality of the post 8.

The upper extremity of the post 8 at a desired point above the body B carries a transverse steering bar 5U. The outer end portion of the head H of the body is provided therethrough with a transversely disposed opening 5| vthrough which is freely directed a flexible member 52 to simulate reins. The member 52 is also adapted to be disposed through the openings 53 in the end portions of the steering bar and to extend a desired distance inwardly thereof. This member 52 by being freely disposed through the opening 5I offers no hindrance or obstruction to the steering movement of the post 8 as turned by the steering bar 50.

It is to b noted that the cranks ls and 32 are substantially reversely related and in practice the weight of the occupant of the seat or saddle S serves to effect rotation of the rear shaft 29 by downwardly rocking the crank 32 and at which time the cranks I8 are caused to move upwardly. The movement of the vehicle will cause the cranks |8-and 32 to pass dead centers and as the cranks I8 pass their upper vertical centers the occupant of the Vehicle will raise from the seat or saddle S to place his weight upon the stirrups 48 which will result in the downward movement of the cranks I8 and positive rotation of the forward shaft I9.

As the cranks I8 rotate the sleeve 1 will move up and down upon the post 8 and it is believed to be obvious that as the sleeve 1 reciprocates the arm 36 will reciprocate in unison therewith but in reverse directions which is effected by the rocking of the rigid bar 39 upon the bar 44.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a toy vehicle constructed in accordance wtih my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:-

1. A vehicle of the class described comprising a hollow body having depending and transversely spaced front legs and depending transversely spaced rear legs, a yoke substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the front legs, a second yoke also substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the rear legs, a transversely disposed member within the body above the forward yoke and operatively engaged with the side walls of the body, a rigid connecting member securing said transverse member and the top intermediate member of the rear yoke, shafts rotatably supported by the front and rear yokes and having cranks, a vertically disposed post carried by the forward portion of the body and being free for up and down movement, an operative connection between said post and the forward shaft whereby said post is raised and lowered upon rotation of the forward shaft, a sleeve freely mounted on the lower portion of the post, said post having a part with which said sleeve contacts from above, a bar within the body and extending lengthwise thereof, the forward end portion of the bar operatively engaging the upper end of the sleeve, means for pivotally holding said bar to the rear portion of the body, an operative connection between the rear portion of the body and the crank of the rear shaft, and ground engaging wheels carried by both of the shafts.

2. A vehicle of the class described comprising a hollow body having depending and transversely spaced front legs and depending transversely spaced rear legs, a yoke substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the front legs, a second yoke also substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the rear legs, a transversely disposed member within the body above the forward yoke and operatively engaged with the side walls of the body, a rigid connecting member securing said transverse member and the top intermediate member of the rear yoke,

Vshafts rotatably supported by the front and rear yokes and having cranks, a vertically disposed post carried by the forward portion of the body and being free for up and down movement, an operative connection between said post and the forward shaft whereby said post is raised and lowered upon rotation of the forward shaft, a sleeve freely mounted on the lower portion of the post, said post having a part with which said sleeve contacts from above, a bar within the body and extending lengthwise thereof, the forward end portion of the bar operatively engaging the upper end of the sleeve, means for pivotally holding said bar to the rear portion of the body, an operative connection between the rear portion of the body and the crank of the rear shaft, and ground engaging wheels carried by both of the shafts, the post being mounted for rotation around its vertical axis, the sleeve and front yoke being constructed and arranged for unitary rotation with the post to provide steering means for the vehicle.

3. A vehicle of the class described comprising a hollow body having depending and transversely spaced front legs and depending transversely spaced rear legs, a yoke substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the front legs, a second yoke also substantially in` the form of an inverted U positioned between the rear legs, a transversely disposed member within the body above the forward yoke and operatively engaged with. the side walls of the body, a rigid connecting member securing said transverse member and the top intermediate member of the rear yoke, shafts rotatably supported by the front and rear yokes and having cranks, a vertically disposed post carried by the forward portion of the body and being free for up and down movement, an operative connection between said post and the forward shaft whereby said post is raised and lowered upon rotation of the forward shaft, a sleeve freely mounted on the lower portion of the post, said post having a part with which said sleeve contacts from above, a bar within the body and extending lengthwise thereof, the forward end portion of the bar operatively engaging the upper end of the sleeve, means for pivotally holding said bar to the rear portion of the body, an operative connection between the rear portion of the body and the crank of the rear shaft, ground engaging wheels carried by both of the shafts, a 'pivotal mounting for the bar being constructed and arranged for vertical movement independently of the body, and means associated with said pivotal mounting to impose weight directly on said bar independently of the body.

4. A vehicle of the class described comprising a hollow body having depending and transversely spaced front legs and depending transversely spaced rear legs, a yoke substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the front legs, a second yoke also substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the rear legs, a transversely disposed member within the body above the forward yoke and operatively engaged with the side walls of the body, a rigid connecting member 'securing said transverse member and the top intermediate member of the rear yoke, shafts rotatably supported by the front and rear yokes and having cranks, a vertically disposed post carried by the forward portion of the body and being free for up and down movement, an operative connection between said post and the forward shaft whereby said post is raised and lowered upon rotation of the forward shaft, a sleeve freely mounted on the lower portion of the post, said post having a part with which said sleeve contacts from above, a bar within the body and extending lengthwise thereof, the forward end portion of the bar operatively engaging the upper end of the sleeve, means for pivotally holding said bar to the rear portion of the body, `a vertically disposed arm, means for pivotally connecting the upper portion of the arm to the rear portion of the body, said arm being freely disposed through the intermediate member of the rear yoke, and an operative connection between the lower portion of said vertical arm and the crank shaft of the rear axle.

5. A vehicle of the class described comprising a hollow body having depending and transversely spaced front legs and depending transversely spaced rear legs, a yoke substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the front legs, a second yoke also substantially in the form of an inverted U positioned between the rear legs, a transversely disposed member within the body above the forward yoke and operatively engaged with the side walls of the body, a rigid connecting member securing said transverse member and the top intermediate member of the v rear yoke, shafts rotatably supported by the front and rear yokes and having cranks, a vertically disposed post carried by the forward portion of the body and being free for up and down movement, an operative connection between said post and the forward shaft whereby said post is raised and lowered upon rotation of the forward shaft, a sleeve freely mounted on the lower portion of the post, said post having a part with which said sleeve contacts from above, a bar within the body and extending lengthwise thereof, the forward end portion of the bar operatively engaging the upper end of the sleeve, means for pivotally holding said bar to the rear portion of the body, an operative connection between the rear portion of the body and the crank of the rear shaft, and ground engaging wheels carried by both of the shafts, the rear legs being provided with holding and guiding slots in which extend the extremities of the rear shaft.

OWEN O. SHARP. 

